VANCOUVER - Canada, and B.C. specifically, has officially kicked one of its nasty flu bugs.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed this week that the nation has met World Health Organization standards to achieve “disease-free” status for avian influenza, or bird flu.

The confirmation follows months of investigation and containment after the presence of the H5 avian influenza was found in two Abbotsford commercial poultry farms in January.

The provincial government is currently in the process of commissioning a $14-million Containment Level 3 Lab in Abbotsford, which will allow for a more rapid response to any future bird flu outbreaks.

It will be the second lab of it’s kind in Canada.

Matt Kieltyka reports for Vancouver 24 hours.